Chris Rock's 10 Best Movies & TV Shows, Ranked

Chris Rock has been entertaining audiences for decades, but some of his movies and TV shows stand apart from the rest in terms of quality and popularity. Though he began as a stand-up comic in the 80s, Rock was quickly ushered into the realms of film and television as an actor and several of Chris Rock movies have been quite notable, as well as his TV projects. His career on both the stand-up stage and on the screen has been long and successful and shows no signs of slowing down.

Though he has led a diverse career, Chris Rock is best known for his comedic work. His keen observation skills and undeniable charisma have helped him crush all of his roles; everything from Rock hosting the Oscars, to voicing an animated zebra. With Everybody Still Hates Chris, the animated sequel series to his beloved sitcom, Everybody Hates Chris, recently taking Comedy Central by storm, it feels only appropriate to take some time to revisit some of Chris Rock’s greatest works.

10 Grown Ups (2010)

Chris Rock played Kurt McKenzie

When someone mentions Chris Rock, many people’s minds will immediately go to Grown Ups. The 2010 comedy film tells the story of a group of former high school buddies who reunite decades later for one exciting weekend. The five stuck-in-the-past friends are played by Adam Sandler (who also wrote and produced the film), Kevin James, David Spade, Rob Schneider, and, of course, Chris Rock.

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Although Grown Ups was not too well-received by critics, it would be impossible to exclude it from any catalog of Rock’s works for multiple reasons. For one, it is easily among the most popular films to feature the gifted comedian, and it certainly has a loving fan base. The film even did well enough to be given a sequel three years later. Additionally, it is clear from beginning to end that the entire cast was having a blast making this film. Rock’s charming personality and infectious humor make all of his scenes consistently entertaining.

9 Osmosis Jones (2001)

Chris Rock played Osmosis Jones

Director

Bobby Farrelly , Peter Farrelly

Release Date

August 10, 2001

Writers

Marc Hyman

Runtime

95 Minutes

Though not the first time Chris Rock lent his voice to an animated role, Osmosis Jones was the first time he got to voice the main character in a film. Rock played the titular role in the 2001 film, Osmosis Jones, about a human-like white blood cell working tirelessly to protect the human he lives in from viruses.

Although the film as a whole received mixed reviews, the animated portions (led by Rock) received much more consistent praise. Rock’s skillful voice acting perfectly matched the fast-paced nature of the scenes featuring “Ozzy,” really bringing the character to life. Osmosis Jones proves Rock’s ability to thrive even in highly unconventional settings. While some of the gross-out humor in the film may not be for everyone, Rock’s vocal performance makes it worth a watch.

8 The Longest Yard (2005)

Chris Rock played James “Caretaker” Farrell

Director

Peter Segal

Studio(s)

Paramount Pictures , Columbia Pictures , MTV Films , Happy Madison Productions

Distributor(s)

Paramount Pictures

Writers

Albert S. Ruddy , Tracy Keenan Wynn , Sheldon Turner

Runtime

113 Mins

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A remake of the 1974 film of the same name, The Longest Yard stars Adam Sandler as a former NFL quarterback who rallies a group of inmates to form a football team together after he is thrown in prison. Rock appears in a significant supporting role as James “Caretaker” Farrell, a fellow prisoner who becomes a close friend of Sandler’s character.

Rock’s performance as Caretaker is among the most praised comedic film performances of his career. He even went on to win the BET Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Theatrical Film for his portrayal of Caretaker. Not only is Rock a talented actor on his own, but he also has the ability to help boost the performances of those around him. His work in The Longest Yard is a great demonstration of his generosity as an actor.

7 Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)

Chris Rock played Lee Butters

Lethal Weapon 4

Release Date

July 10, 1998

Writers

Shane Black , Jonathan Lemkin , Alfred Gough , Miles Millar , Channing Gibson

Runtime

127 minutes

Lethal Weapon 4 is certainly a standout among the other films in Chris Rock’s career. The 1998 action film stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, with Rock appearing as part of a powerful supporting cast, including Joe Pesci, Rene Russon, and Jet Li. Like the other films in the series, Lethal Weapon 4 is not only full of action, but has moments of heart and humor as well; all areas where Rock is able to thrive.

While this film was not rated as highly as the previous entries in the Lethal Weapon franchise, it remains a valuable part of Rock’s filmography for multiple reasons. Perhaps the most notable of these reasons is that it highlights the actor’s ability to perform in a wide range of genres, branching far out from the stand-up comedy stage where Rock got his start. Additionally, it proves Rock’s ability to hold his own when sharing the screen with actors as prominent as Mel Gibson and Joe Pesci.

6 Dogma (1999)

Chris Rock as Rufus, the thirteenth apostle aided Bethany Sloane

Studio(s)

Lionsgate

Distributor(s)

Lionsgate

Dogma may not be the most popular of Rock’s films, but it’s certainly one of the most unique. The 1999 comedy stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon as a pair of angels who scheme to return to Heaven after being cast out for their wrongdoings. Rock steals scenes as Rufus, the thirteenth apostle, who is tasked with helping a woman named Bethany prevent the downfall of the entire universe. The film received decent reviews, with praise given to its thoughtful satire on religion.

Even though he has a limited role in the film, Dogma remains an essential part of Rock’s career because of the creativity of the film. In contrast to the lowbrow humor of many other comedies of that era, Dogma offers a well-constructed satirical story. If nothing else, it is certainly a film bound to spark some conversation, and therefore deserves to be included in any ranking of Rock’s best works.

5 Nurse Betty (2000)

Chris Rock plays Wesley in the 2000 movie

Director

Neil LaBute

Release Date

September 8, 2000

Character(s)

Charlie , Betty , Wesley , Dr. David Ravell , Del , Rosa , Roy , Ballard

Runtime

108 Minutes

Rock appears in a prominent role alongside Morgan Freeman as a pair of hitmen in the 2000 dark comedy, Nurse Betty, starring Renée Zellweger. The film is undoubtedly among the most critically acclaimed of Rock’s career, and even received the award for Best Screenplay at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival, where it debuted.

Nurse Betty is an underappreciated bright spot in Rock’s career, giving the actor an opportunity to shine opposite a Golden Globe-winning performance from Zellweger. The film captures a wide variety of tones, with moments of comedy, moments of drama, and moments of serious tension, all of which are amplified by the stellar cast. Nurse Betty offers Rock an opportunity to showcase his natural chemistry with others, with the actor serving as an excellent partner to Freeman’s character.

4 Madagascar (2005)

Chris Rock as Marty, a plains zebra and Alex’s best friend

Director

Eric Darnell , Tom McGrath

Studio(s)

DreamWorks Animation

Distributor(s)

DreamWorks Distribution

Runtime

86 minutes

Aside from possibly Grown Ups, the honor of being Chris Rock’s most popular film goes to Madagascar, the 2005 animated feature from Dreamworks. In the film, Rock voices Marty the zebra, the best friend of the protagonist, Alex the lion (voiced by Ben Stiller). Madagascar proved to be a huge commercial success, and helped introduce the vocal talents of Rock to a new generation of moviegoers.

The directors of Madagascar wanted Marty to be a very high-energy character, and Rock was sure to deliver on this front. Rock’s energy and charisma translate perfectly through his voice, infecting the character with an undeniable liveliness. When watching the film, it’s nearly impossible to imagine anyone else voicing the lovable character.

3 Saturday Night Live (1975 – Present)

Chris Rock played Various Characters

Cast

Leslie Jones , Aidy Bryant , Kyle Mooney , Alex Moffat , Kate McKinnon , Beck Bennett , Kenan Thompson , Colin Jost , Mikey Day , Cecily Strong , Michael Che , Pete Davidson , Melissa Villaseñor

Seasons

48

Directors

Lorne Michaels

For years, Saturday Night Live provided a setting where Rock was able to thrive using all of his greatest skills. Rock was a regular cast member on the popular sketch comedy program from 1990-1993. He also returned to host the show three separate times, as well as making numerous cameo appearances over the years. Rock played a wide variety of roles on the show over the years, ranging all the way from oddball fictional characters to impersonations of real celebrities like Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall.

SNL is an absolute must-watch for anyone looking to explore more of Rock’s life on screen. The show is where Rock really established himself on television, marking a clear turning point in the comic’s career. Unfortunately, being an up-and-coming comedian among a team of more established comics, Rock was not given too much time to shine, especially in the early days of his SNL run. However, he never failed to make the most of his time on screen, always earning big laughs with his crazy characters and spot-on impressions.

2 Fargo Season 4 (2020)

Chris Rock played Loy Cannon

Fargo – Season 4

Rock’s most recent appearance as a leading man on television came in the fourth season of the FX series, Fargo, a based-on-a-true-story crime anthology series which features a new cast every season. The fourth installment in the series stars Rock as Loy Cannon, the leader of a crime syndicate during a contentious time in America. Fargo season 4, though not quite as highly praised as the others in the series, was still very well-received by critics, with much recognition given to the performances.

Rock’s award-nominated performance as Loy is easily among the strongest performances of his career. The role further demonstrated the breadth of Rock’s talent, allowing him to not only portray a historical figure, but to do so in a story that explored multiple genres. Fargo reminds audiences just how far Rock has come since his days as a stand-up comic. The show proves that, while Rock has maintained his comedic talents and charisma, he has developed an assortment of other gifts as well.

1 Everybody Hates Chris (2005-2009)

Chris Rock played The Narrator (And The Show’s Creator)

Release Date

September 22, 2005

Seasons

4

Directors

Jerry Levine , Debbie Allen , Keith Truesdell , Ken Whittingham

The most well-respected project of Rock’s career is also the most personal. Everybody Hates Chris, which aired from 2005-2009, is based on Rock’s own experiences as a teenager growing up in New York City. Though the character inspired by his younger self is played by Tyler James Williams, Rock provides the show’s narration, charmingly reflecting on the experiences of his youth. The show was a hit with critics, receiving various awards and nominations over the course of its four seasons.

Everybody Hates Chris serves as an exceptional showcase of who Chris Rock is as a person. The show is honest, topical, and, of course, hilarious. Through the show, audiences can get a full, honest portrait of the person who has been making them laugh for years. Now that Everybody Still Hates Chris, the animated sequel series, is on the air, it feels only appropriate to reflect on where Rock’s story began; as a talented kid eager to learn about the world around him.